Turkish Army
Encyclopedia : T : TU : TUR : Turkish Army
| Turkish Army Türk Kara Kuvvetleri | |
| |
| Military manpower | |
| Conscription age | 20 years of age |
| Availability | males age 18-49: 16,756,323 (2005 est.) |
| Fit for military service | males age 15-49: 13,905,901 (2005 est.) |
| Active troops | 1,043,550 (Ranked 9th) |
| Military expenditures | |
| USD figure | .155 billion (2003) [link] |
| Percent of GDP | 5.3% (2003) [link] |
Commander in Chief: General Hilmi Özkök
Branch General: General Yaşar Büyükanıt
History
The history of the Turks whose political order was developed in line with its military order dates before 4000 years. This long story, started in Central Asia, which spread throughout all the major continents as a result of the great immigrations. The Khun, Kokturk and Uighur nations in the East and the first Turkish state, namely the Great Seljuk Empire founded by Turks of the Oghuz origin, in 1040 in the West were instrumental in introducing the Turks to the European Nations.
Entering Anatolia thanks to Malazgirt victory in 1071, the Turks founded many provinces (called as Beylikler), The Anatolian Seljuk State and the Ottoman Empire, one of the most significant states of the Turks. Language, religion, custom and traditions were the common elements of these Turkish communities.
Over centuries, the Turkish Flag flew from one end to the other. The Turks watering their horses in the Danube, knocked on the doors of Vienna, established an absolute sovereignty in the Mediterranean and seized the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.
Devoted soldiers as individuals, the Turks proved themselves to be an army-nation to the whole world. Beginning from the Turkish nations in Central Asia till today, being a soldier was not considered as a profession, since every Turk was regarded as a naturally born warrior.
The God-given military mission, as depicted in the Gokturk Inscriptions, was accepted by the Turks as an ideal for all times.
Having increasingly lost its power as a result of geopolitical and geostrategic circumstances, the Ottoman Empire, during its weakest period, took part in the World War I, resulting in new and legendary pages in the history of the Turkish Army. The Gallipolis War, which played a vital role in the geographical and political order of the world, ended with the victory of the Turkish Army, leading to the extension of the war.
The defeat of its allies determined the end of the Ottoman Empire, with the country being invaded and its army disarmed.
The demise of this deep-rooted empire, gave way to the rise of a new sun, laying the foundations of the Republic of Turkey that would last forever. Breaking through the dark clouds, this sun was Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. As a reformist of military origin, Atatürk proved his genius to the nations of the world, by improving the state, which he founded, in every field. A completely new Republic now arose over the soils of Turkey, whose borders were drawn with blood.
Atatürk led the Turkish Nation and Armed Forces, continuously strengthening them.
While the flames of World War II were grazing the Turkish borders, the Turkish Army was on duty. Turkey remained neutral between the Nazis and the Allies, and the Turkish Army did not fight in World War II. Closely monitoring the developments taking place all over the globe after the World War II, Turkey attracted everyone’s attention in 1950 by participating in the Korean War as a member state of the United Nations. The reinforced infantry brigade deployed to Korea became a good example to many nations’ armed forces due to its military courage, discipline and spirit it displayed in the battles it participated in. 731 Turkish soldiers became martyrs in Korea.
Becoming a member of the NATO Alliance on February 18, 1952, the Republic of Turkey initiated a comprehensive modernisation programme for its Armed Forces. The Turkish Armed Forces, whose power of deterrence continuously increased, proved its power and capabilities once more during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Towards the end of the 80s, a re-structuring process has been initiated in the Turkish Armed Forces.
Turkey is located in a vitally important and challenging region with various political regimes, religions, economic systems and military powers. Due to its dominant position surrounded by the Black, Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Balkans and the Middle East, it is a focal point of strategic lines beginning from Gibraltar, where land and sea lines of communication intersect, to Middle East and Central Asia on three continents.Turkey, with its Turkish Straits is also well positioned to control the Suez Canal and consequently the maritime traffic in the region.
East and Southeastern Anatolia are the shortest land and air transport routes to the vast energy resources in the Middle East. Radical changes are taking place in the region where Turkey having vital strategic importance, is located and this process of radical changes brings great challenges with it. While the uncertainties in the content and duration of the changes continue, Turkey stands firm as an element of stability in the region.
In this environment of uncertainty, the threat to the security of Turkey no longer comprise solely the regional military powers, but also political, economic and social instabilities, border disputes, struggles of power as well as terrorism. The conditions of the region where Turkey is located, pose a clear threat.
In addition to the regional crises, the Turkish Armed Forces, must, based on political decisions, also be prepared to respond to crises that pose a threat to the World Peace.
Strictly adhering to great Atatürk’s principle, ‘Peace At Home, Peace In The World’, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey do not have any aggressive intentions, but it is employed when its independence, nation, country and honour are under threat or in parallel with the common ideals of international organizations of which it is a member.
As a member of the NATO Alliance, the Republic of Turkey ensured an increased security and contributed to the protection of the global balance, as well. Turkey cooperates in defence and economic fields with the U.S. as the sole super power as a result of the changing balances and fully supports the initiatives towards Disarmament and Arms Control. In this context, Turkey is committed to a Disarmament that is realized under an effective control mechanism, which does not adversely affect the security of any nation.
In an environment full of hot conflicts, Turkey, having great importance as the last link within the NATO defence chain, must have a powerful national defence capability and a strong armed forces ready to effectively react to potential dangers from peacetime.
Elements of the Turkish Defence Policy are determination and will for National Defence, NATO solidarity and the Turkish Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey having great geopolitical and geostrategic importance comprise the Army, Navy and Air Force that are subordinate to the Turkish General Staff. The General Command of Gendarmerie and the Coast Guard Command, which operate as the parts of internal security forces in peacetime, are subordinate to the Land and Naval Forces Commands, respectively in wartime.
The Chief of General Staff is the Commander of the Armed Forces. In wartime, he acts as the Commander in Chief on behalf of the President. Commanding the Armed Forces and establishing the policies and programs related with the preparation for combat of personnel, intelligence, operations, organization, training and logistic services are the responsibilities of the Turkish General Staff. Furthermore, the Turkish General Staff coordinates the military relations of the Turkish Armed Forces with NATO and other friendly nations.
Structure
Turkish Army is organized into following commands:- Land Forces Command (Turkish:Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı (KKK))
- *1st Army Command
- *2nd Army Command
- *3rd Army Command
- *Aegean Army Command
- *Cyprus Turkish Forces Command
- *Training and Doctrine Command
- *Logistics Command
- *Army Aviation Command
- 4 Field armies,
- 10 Army corps,
- 2 Mechanized infantry divisions,
- 2 Mechanized infantry division headquarters (tactical),
- 1 Infantery division and 1 training division,
- 14 Mechanized infantry brigades,
- 14 Armored brigades,
- 12 Infantry/regional security brigades,
- 5 Commando brigades,
- 5 Training brigades.
Insignia
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Main equipment
| Turkish Army | |
| Main battle tanks | |
| 298 | Leopard 2A4 (delivery of 298 units will start in the spring of 2006 to be completed in about a year) |
| 77 | Leopard 1A3T1/TU120 |
| 150 | Leopard 1A3T1 |
| 165 | Leopard 1A1A1 |
| 658 | M 60A3 |
| 274 | M 60A1 RISE/Passive (170 will undergo a comprehensive Sabra Mk.3 upgrade) |
| 750 | M 48A5T2 (Upgraded to M 60A3 Standard) |
| 619 | M 48A5T1 (Upgraded to M 60A1 Standard) |
| 103 | M 48T5 (Upgraded to M 60A1 Standard) |
| 658 | M 48A3 (Reserve and obsolete. Used for spare parts, being scrapped) |
| 575 | M 48A2C (Reserve and obsolete. Used for spare parts, being scrapped) |
| Armored personnel carriers | |
| 650 | FNSS Armored infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) |
| 1381 | FNSS Advanced armored personnel carrier (AAPC) |
| 170 | FNSS Armored mortar vehicle (AMV) (self propelled 81 mm mortar) |
| 48 | FNSS Armored TOW vehicle (ATV) |
| 3162 | M 113A/A1/A2/T2/T3 |
| 179 | M 106A1 (Self propelled M-30 107 mm mortar) |
| 10+ | M 125A1 (Self propelled M-29 81 mm mortar) |
| 156 | M 113 TOW |
| 239 | BTR-80 |
| 5 | RN 94 (6X6) |
| 5 | Otokar Cobra (4X4) 60 more ordered. |
| Rocket launchers | |
| 30 | WS1A (4X320 mm) (6 batteries each with 5 launchers). |
| 12 | M270 MLRS (12X227 mm) |
| 72 | MGM 140 ATACMS Block I |
| 48 | TR 107 (12X107 mm) |
| 24 | RA 7040 (40X70 mm) |
| 52+ | T 122 CNRA (40X122 mm, 40 km) |
| Towed artillery | |
| 162 | M 115 (203 mm) |
| 538 | M 114A1/A2 (155 mm) |
| 171 | M 59 (155 mm) |
| 128 | Skoda (150 mm) |
| 830 | M 101A1 (105 mm) |
| 12 | M 38 Skoda (105 mm) (Used in training) |
| 11 | 105R Metalgun (105 mm) (Used in training) |
| 180 | M 116 (75 mm) |
| 24 | T 155 Panter 155/52 FT-2000 (155 mm) |
| Self-propelled artillery | |
| 219 | M110A2 (203 mm) |
| 9 | M 55 (203 mm) |
| 36 | M 107 (175 mm) |
| 164 | M 44T (155 mm) (Upgraded) |
| 360 | M 52T (155 mm) (Upgraded) |
| 26 | M 108T (155 mm) (Possible upgrade) |
| 48 | T 155 Firtina (K9T) 155/52 SP-2000 (155 mm) |
| Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)-propelled artillery | |
| 108 | Harpy Attack UAV (500 km) |
| 2 | I-GNAT Surveillance UAV (500 km) |
| Anti-aircraft missiles | |
| 6 | Atilgan KMS (1X8 FIM-92B/C Stinger) |
| 4 | Zipkin KMS (1X4 FIM-92 Stinger) |
| 800+ | FIM 92B/C Stinger Post/RPM (4882 missiles) |
| 1089 | FIM-43A Redeye |
| 48 | 9M39 Igla (SA-18 Grouse) |
| Attack helicopters | |
| 9 | Bell AH1W Super Cobra |
| 27 | Bell AH1P Cobra |
| 6 | Bell TAH1P Cobra |
| Air-to-ground missiles | |
| 216 | Hellfire II K2 (Used in the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters) |
| n/a | TOW II (Used in the AH-1S/P Cobra helicopters) |
| Other helicopters | |
| 28 | Eurocopter AS-532UL Cougar Mk1 (4 SAR, 4 ambulance, 4 VIP, 16 utility) |
| 21 | Sikorsky S-70A28 Blackhawk (13 will undergo ASELSAN avionics upgrade, 8 SOF) |
| 52 | Sikorsky S-70D28 Blackhawk (5 SAR, 4 ambulance, 41 utility, 2 SOF CSAR) |
| 52 | Bell UH-1H/2020-ASAM |
| 40 | Bell UH-1H Iroquois (24 training) |
| 20 | Bell UH-1D |
| 23 | Augusta Bell AB205AT/2020 |
| 27 | Augusta Bell AB205A1 |
| 28 | Bell AB206B3 JetRanger |
| Anti-tank missiles | |
| 365 | TOW I/II |
| 392+ | MILAN With MIRA thermal sights |
| 340 | ERYX (1200 missiles) |
| 54 | 9M113M Konkurs (AT5 Spandrel) (420 missiles) |
| 186 | Cobra (Used for training purposes only) |
| 5000+ | RPG-7 (40 mm) |
| 40.000+ | M72 A2 LAW (66 mm) |
| Artillery guns without recoil | |
| 2137 | M 40A1 (106 mm) |
| 1000 | M 20(75 mm) (in storage) |
| 871 | M 18(57 mm) (in storage. Small number in use at Marines) |
| Anti-aircraft guns | |
| 110 | M 42 (2X40 mm) |
| 312 | L/70 & L/70T Bofors (40 mm) (52 with Officine Galileo P56 optical sight) |
| 600+ | L/60 & M1A1 (40 mm) |
| 120 | Oerlikon GDF-003 (2X35 mm) |
| 100+ | Oerlikon GDF-001 (2X35 mm) |
| 440 | Oerlikon GAI-D01 (2X20 mm) |
| 300+ | Mk 20 Rh202 (2X20 mm) |
| 900 | M55 (4X12.7 mm) |
| Mortars | |
| 578 | HY-12Di (120 mm) |
| 1265 | M-30 (107 mm) |
| 324 | UT1 (81 mm) |
| 3175 | M1/M29 (81 mm) |
| n/a | M 19 (60 mm) |
| Automatic grenade launchers | |
| 1500+ | (40x53 mm) (Mk19 copy from Roketsan) |
| n/a | Mk19 Mod3 |
Source
- [warriorsoul.4t.com/army.html]
- [www.politikforen.de]
- [www.globalsecurity.org - Turkish Land Forces - Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı]
- [AFSOUTH Fact sheet - Turkey]
External links
- This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2004 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
- [http://www.osmanlimedeniyeti.com] Many articles about the history of Ottoman Turkish Army
- [Turkish Armed Forces Website]
- [Turkish Army Website in Turkish]
- [Unofficial Turkish Armed Forces Website in English]
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| Turkish Army | Turkish Air Force | Turkish Gendarmerie | Turkish Navy | Turkish Coast Guard | ||
Candidate countries: Albania • Croatia • Republic of Macedonia
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